Kevin Pauwels takes 2 victories in 9 days

02/01/2013

On December 23, Pauwels won his third race of the season. He was the best rider in the Namur World Cup, and finished solo with almost a minute’s advantage on his competitors.

During the first laps, Pauwels was joined by Francis Mourey, but the Frenchman punctured and dropped back, eventually finishing fourth. Pauwels steadily clocked the fastest lap times and held off a comeback from Albert.

Pauwels: "It was a tough course, and that's usually not my thing, but during the second lap, I took over the command and rode my own pace. When I noticed I got a gap, I tried to consolidate my lead”

On the first day of 2013, Pauwels again proved that he also can win tough muddy races in the GP Sven Nys. Namesake Nys missed the start of the race due to illness, so every rider wanted to go for the win.Like in almost every race, Pauwels' teammate Klaas Vantornout claimed his part of the attention by starting strongly and leading the first two laps of the race. By the third of seven laps Stybar powered forward on the muddy course around the Balenberg. At first Stybar's move was marked by Pauwels, Albert and Vantornout but half a lap later only Pauwels was capable of keeping up with the Czech rider. Early on in the fourth lap Pauwels took over command from Stybar and the latter had to bow his head for the superiority of the Belgian. Pauwels was very happy that he was able to win for his new co-sponsor Napoleon Games. The new team also received new Ridley X-Night CX bikes, which will be introduced to the general public at the CX World in Louisville.

The U23 races in Essen and Loenhout were won by young Telenet-Fidea rider Corné Van Kessel.